Press Releases and Media Advisories

Elections Canada: Media: Press Releases and Media Advisories

Reminders for Media on Election Day OTTAWA, Monday, January 16, 2006 —The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Jean‑Pierre Kingsley, reviewed today the provisions in the Canada Elections Act affecting the media. “The media must be mindful not to publish for the first time election opinion surveys, or election advertising, on January 23. This is part of the Act and applies to all media, including the Internet,” stated Mr. Kingsley. “In addition, you should remember that the blackout period for advertising on election day applies to candidates, registered political parties and third parties.” On election day, until polling stations close in any electoral district, there is a ban on disseminating the following information in that district: election advertising (section 323 of the Canada Elections Act) results of election opinion surveys not previously released (section 328) election results from other electoral districts (section 329) This ban applies to all media. Election advertising posted to the public on the Internet before election day need not be withdrawn, but it cannot be amended once the blackout period has begun. The blackout does not apply to the distribution of pamphlets or the posting of messages on signs, posters or banners. Section 329 of the Canada Elections Act prohibits transmitting the results of the vote in any electoral district to the public in another electoral district before the polling stations close in that other electoral district. Therefore, the current state of the law is that this provision is in force for the 39th general election. On May 20, 2005, the British Columbia Court of Appeal held that section 329 of the Act was constitutional. This decision has been appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Canada Elections Act stipulates that only election officers, electors, candidates and candidates’ representatives may be admitted to a polling station on election day. Moreover, barring access to a polling station or otherwise impeding the voting process is prohibited, as is compromising the secrecy of the vote. The media must, therefore, remain outside polling stations and be careful not to impede the free movement of electors. As a courtesy, those wishing to cover activities outside a polling station should contact the returning officer for that electoral district before election day. Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament. Information: Elections Canada Media Relations 1 877 877-9515 or at www.elections.ca